Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!

Favorite Quote(s)*:

“‘You are my new hero. Seriously, I might actually be in love with you now. Would it be awkward if we made out?’”

Favorite Character: Dex. He was funny and unique and definitely not your typical boy—it made me love him all the more!

First Line*:

“Killing a vampire is actually a lot easier than you’d think.”

My Musings: Rachel Hawkins became a favorite author of mine after I had the pleasure of reading the Hex Hall series. And just as I fell in love with that series’ characters and plot, the same has happened with her new novel. School Spirits was an intriguing mix of hilarity and action, with your needed dosage of romance. I can honestly say that it is everything that I was expecting—and more.

I really enjoyed the story line of this novel. It was interesting to see the life of the Brannicks, especially after we were exposed to who they were in the Hex Hall series. I loved seeing the other side of the Prodiguim world that Rachel Hawkins has created. The plot of this novel was interesting and captivating. Set mostly in a high school setting, it was fun to watch Izzy adapt to regular life. And the tie in of a ghost haunting the high school? Genius. It gave just the right balance of normal and paranormal. There was never a dull moment, and Hawkins always had me wondering what was next.

I really enjoyed Izzy’s, our heroine, character. She was slightly awkward in her new setting, and it was cute to see her somewhat floundering to fit into the normal world. She was a well written character—we got to see her grow and evolve over the course of the novel. She was very dynamic. She was smart, nice, and strong. She was witty as well, and her narration kept me laughing.

I also enjoyed the other characters as well. Dexter was a very unique book boy. I like that Hawkins created an imperfect book boy that we could still fall in love with. Dex dressed weird, had asthma, and talked kinda strangely. But it was all part of his unique character, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with him anyway. I also enjoyed Torin’s character. He was an interesting character to read. I’m still not sure about his relationship with Izzy, whether it was big borther-ish or something more on his part. But regardless, it was interesting to read about Torin and to experience his interactions with Izzy. The other characters in the novel, such as Romy and Anderson, were also very well developed and detailed characters. Although they were supporting characters, they were written in depth, and they did not feel like supporting characters at all.

The romance was something that I enjoyed in this novel very much. Although I’m usually partial to the more active romance, Dex and Izzy’s was sweet to read regardless. Izzy was very cautious, and although there was never really a flat out relationship between the two, you could sense the caring that they had for one another through their actions and interactions. I hope that if there is ever to be another novel to accompany this novel, that their relationship is given the time to fully mature.

The final thing was the ending. The ending left me wanting more, and wanting it soon.n Unfortunately, Hawkins has said that there is not currently a second novel in the works, but hopefully there will be someday. And I am anxiously awaiting that someday.

School Spirits was a great novel filled with tentative romance, strong characters, and your typically amazing Rachel Hawkins writing. It was a great novel that lovers of her Hex Hall series are sure to enjoy.